Taps still dry in Warrenton

WARRENTON residents have lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) as there has not been a drop of water in their taps since February 21.

It is believed that Magareng Municipality has managed to secure R5.5 million towards repairing the bulk pipeline.

Last week, the municipality indicated that R15 million was needed to re-route the pipeline to the N18 low-lying bridge in the meantime until the main pipeline is fixed.

Residents complained that the borehole water was making them feel ill and their skin “itchy”, while others indicated that there were not enough trucks delivering water to the community.

“Our arms are tired of carrying containers of water.”

Some community members added that load shedding was also preventing residents from accessing water from the boreholes.

The acting provincial manager of the SAHRC, Anthony Wyngaard, stated that they were following up on existing complaints against the municipality.

“In addition to these complaints, we have now learnt that the community has been without water for more than three weeks. This is as a result of the equipment extracting water from the Vaal River being damaged during flooding.”

He added that residents were

A damaged water pipe near the low-lying bridge in Warrenton. Picture: Soraya Crowie collecting water from those with access to boreholes. “According to the community, the municipality has not met its obligation to provide water in the interim. The commission will engage the municipality, the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta).

“The community is also concerned that supply chain management processes may not be followed when R15 million is spent on re-routing an interim pipeline.”

The spokesperson for Coghsta, Babalwa Mzambo, said a follow-up meeting would be held in Warrenton on Monday, March 20 in response to a memorandum that was handed over.

Fed-up residents threw their uncollected trash inside the municipality’s premises on February 28, expressing outrage over the water crisis and the lack of service delivery.

Mzambo stated that the MEC for Coghsta would address councillors on issues affecting the Magareng community.